Why does an addict cling to a behavioral addiction, even when their life is in danger?

Why does an addict cling to a behavioral addiction, even when their life is in danger?

Marc Kern (Addiction Expert, Director of Addiction Alternatives) gives expert video advice on: How is a behavioral addiction similar to a substance behavioral addiction?; What is an "addictive personality"?; What can be done about an addictive personality? and more...

It's part and parcel of why it's so difficult, is because you have pushed away more adaptable, healthier ways to feel good. You have nothing left, you don't have your family, you don't have your job, you don't have your bank account. Well, you've got this one little, miniscule way of coping with life, of feeling good and you return to it over and over again because you don't have anything left. People with a healthy life have a multitude, I call it a 5 finger approach to life, if they have a little problem with their spouse, they turn to another way of feeling good. But over time that 5 finger approach turns to a 1 finger approach, which we are calling an addiction. It's the only way they know how to bring about a good feeling now, they don't have any other resources.